Mediocre even for a cheapie B Western; it lacks even
satisfactory
production values. The Dawn Rider is a remake of the
1931's "Galloping
Thru," an equally stellar oater! It stars a young John
Wayne at a time
when he was learning how to act. The film, directed
and written by R.
N.
Bradbury, is based on the story by Lloyd Nosler.

The film opens as stranger John Mason (John Wayne)
comes
into the
unnamed dusty town and is drawn into a street fight by
wise guy Ben
McClure
(Reed Howes). John gives Ben a good thumping before an
appreciative
audience
of cowhands and afterwards the two retreat into the
saloon for drinks
with
a new respect for each other. It turns out Ben works
as a stagecoach
driver
for John's father. The two go visit Dad Mason in his
express office and
walk in as a robbery is taking place. Dad Mason is
senselessly gunned
down
by the gang of bandits. Before dying he tells his son
that the man who
shot him was wearing a polka dot scarf, and John vows
to dedicate
himself
to getting the killer. John gives chase after the
bandits and guns down
two of them, but they put two slugs in him. Ben takes
his new pal to
his
pretty girlfriend Alice's house, who nurses him back
to health after
the
doctor removes the bullets. Alice's brother Rudd
(Denny Meadows) visits
and is wearing a polka dot scarf. John recovers and
moves back with
Ben.
The stage is held up by Rudd's gang, whose leader is a
nasty talking
saloon
owner (Yakima Canutt). Ben is robbed of the engagement
ring he sent
away
for in a newspaper ad. Rudd stirs him up that John is
chasing after his
sis. John takes a covered wagon of gold with
stagecoach driver Pete and
gets jumped by Rudd's gang. The gang is stopped but
for Rudd, who
rushes
back to Alice's ranch with John in pursuit. Ben
approaches the ranch
and
from a distance sees Alice clutching onto John and is
overcome with
jealousy.
John has no time to explain and will arrange for a
showdown with Rudd.
In the end, John brings the bandits to justice and
gets to marry his
nursemaid.

This seems to be a town with no sheriff, only an
undertaker
anxious
for business and a friendly country doctor.